Also, you should not worry so much about whether you're running on your heels or not... run more mileage and get fit, everything else will take care of itself... just consentrate on your form during a few strides 3-4 times a week.

[http://This message has been edited by wayne5000 (edited Dec-01-2005).|http://This message has been edited by wayne5000 (edited Dec-01-2005).]

A loong time ago I ran under 4'20, but always touching the outside of the heel. Only sprinters never touch their heels. But the faster you run the less time you spend on the heal.

Also I agree with Wayne5000 that you should focus training and on doing some fast 400m; your form will improve automatically. Also, since everyone's body is a bit different (slightly different length legs, bow legged, ankles attached at slightly different angles, high arches, relative length of thigh and skin bone, relative length of foot to leg, hip width, etc. etc. etc.) you have to find your only best form and the best way to do that is run alot, especially run fast frequently since you automatically get more efficient has you try to pour on the speed, while LSD let's you get away with any ol' form.

yeh what i meant is you shouldnt be landing on your heel, you should be landsing like right before the toes, like the area before the arch, running on your heels takes off 10-20 seconds off ur 5k time.

This is one of the most ignorant/naive threads that I have ever read. You should never be running on your toes, a heel strike doesnt take off 10-20 sec, you just trew out a randon number that didnt make any sence. Landing on your heel wont cause too many problems outside of injury... thats only if its really bad/goofy... idk it may cause problems. The only time when I would think that you would be totaly on your forefoot is in faster races(800-mile), during a 5000-10000 I find myslef heel toeing a little.It would definalty effect your sprint speed, though...I dont know anyone who does sprint with a heel stirke, thats a little wierd.

[http://This message has been edited by wayne5000 (edited Dec-01-2005).|http://This message has been edited by wayne5000 (edited Dec-01-2005).]

This is one of the most ignorant/naive threads that I have ever read. You should never be running on your toes, a heel strike doesnt take off 10-20 sec, you just trew out a randon number that didnt make any sence. Landing on your heel wont cause too many problems outside of injury... thats only if its really bad/goofy... idk it may cause problems. The only time when I would think that you would be totaly on your forefoot is in faster races(800-mile), during a 5000-10000 I find myslef heel toeing a little.It would definalty effect your sprint speed, though...I dont know anyone who does sprint with a heel stirke, thats a little wierd.

[http://This message has been edited by wayne5000 (edited Dec-01-2005).|http://This message has been edited by wayne5000 (edited Dec-01-2005).]

I will say that running on your forefoot can take 10 seconds off of your 1500/mile time. It is a great practice because it is much more effeceint stride. As the race gets longer/pace gets slower you'll likely notice that you'll initially strike the ground with your forefoot and then your heel may tap the ground very briefly. I know people that will run 3k/5k races on their toes for the entire race. My HS coach talked about a girl who trained with him at UALR that would run 8k/10k races on her toes for 75% of the race.